DO THE CLOTHES YOU WEAR DEFINE YOU AND MUST THEY?

Earlier, how you dressed spoke of your standing in your career. Important people wore suits and ties. But today, the focus is more on comfort, and highlighting the quality of work over clothes

- HARISH BIJOOR

HIS question pops up time and again. The most recent pop-up happened at the disastrous Oval Office meeting of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, with the irrepressible Donald Trump, President of the United States. Well nigh near the close of the abruptly truncated visit, Zelenskyy was asked how he was dressed by a rather straight-jacketed Brian Glen, a correspondent with the right-wing cable network, 'Real America's Voice'. "Why don't you wear a suit? Do you own a suit?" Zelenskyy's reply was quick and measured. He said, "I will wear a costume after this war finishes. Maybe like yours. Or better. Cheaper."

Both the question and the answer are worth discussing. The question was meant to put Zelenskyy in a corner, telling him that he was not thankful enough to the president and the US for all it has contributed to the war kitty; it also told the president of Ukraine that he could not be so casual with the US and its people. Clothes make a man. Clothes convey respect. Clothes are deferential even. Clothes cannot look as defiant as a sweat-shirt and a pair of jeans.

Zelenskyy's answer was a classic repartee as well. Instead of being offended, he clothed his reply with the troubles of his people and the war. And then he hastened to say he could do one better on the correspondent, at least in terms of a suit. He quickly added "cheaper" to bring home the wartime realities of his nation.